The Theory of Change (ToC) is most often used as a planning tool, as a way of thinking, and as an approach to understand how change happens. In SSR support, these uses are linked to the three dimensions of SSR: technical, holistic and political. The ToC can be used at different levels of intervention, from the individual to the organisational and the socio-political, and it can help to reflect on how power dynamics change in practice. This blog post provides ten tips that may prove helpful when using the Theory of Change in SSR support.

Plural Security Insights has just released the findings of their research project that aims at providing policy and programming advice for donors to engage meaningfully in contexts of plural security provision without straining relationships with state partners, giving legitimacy to actors with unfavourable goals, nor promoting the use of violence as a way to attain political power. Their research explored these issues in detail through case studies on Beirut, Nairobi, and Tunis.

The Inquiry’s report sets out in detail decision‑making in the UK Government covering the period from when the possibility of military action first arose in 2001 to the departure of UK troops in 2009. It covers many different aspects of policy and its delivery, including an SSR-specific section.

UNDP's Rule of Law 2015 Annual Report addresses the progress that has resulted from the organisation's Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law in Crisis-Affected and Fragile Situations. It reports on the completed first and second phases of the project, looking at policy development and internal UN-wide coordination, before setting the stage for the next phase which involves the implementation of what has been established.

INPROL has put together a guide for practitioners that focuses on the strategies and techniques, such as the terminology, concepts, design process, and implementation for quantitative and qualitative research on the rule of law.

During his trip to Washington, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari will speak at the U.S. Institute of Peace to reflect on his country’s role in the Middle East, its battle against ISIS/ISIL, its relations with the U.S., and the need for international assistance. Al-Jaafari’s work touches on military, conflict and development aid, as well as political support and citizens’ assistance.

The British Prime Minister's national security adviser will give a discussion at Chatham House on the upcoming security priorities that the UK will have to address, including short, medium and long-term priorities, as well as the strategies that the country will use to manage them.

The OSCE Gender Section and the German Chairmanship of the OSCE are hosting a conference to discuss the progress of combatting gender-based violence in the OSCE region, exchange good practices and lessons learned with various different types of actors in the field, and identify remaining gaps and areas of improvements, including the possibility for an OSCE-wide action plan to combat violence against women.

According to the UN Population Division, 70 percent of Africa's population is currently under 30 and by 2030 the continent will have the youngest population on earth. Join Hadeel Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, who will discuss at the Wilson Center the importance of encouraging the participation of young people, especially women, in leadership positions as a way to also promote good governance.

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